Football | English Championship

Adkins replaces Slutsky at Hull

Struggling Hull City have appointed Nigel Adkins as their new manager on an 18-month contract, the Championship (second tier) side said in a statement on Thursday.

Former Southampton manager Adkins replaces Russian Leonid Slutsky, who was sacked on Sunday with the Tigers recording just four wins in 20 games to sit three points above the relegation zone in 20th position.

"Adkins will oversee his first training session this morning and will take charge of the side for Saturday's home game against Brentford." Hull said on their website. (www.hullcitytigers.com)

The Briton, who was sacked as Sheffield United manager in 2016, is the fourth permanent manager appointed at Hull since Steve Bruce's exit in July that year with the club in danger of being relegated for the third time in four seasons.

Adkins could stop the club from a free fall, having previously helped multiple teams rise through the tiers, starting with Scunthorpe United, who climbed to the Championship in 2007 and again in 2009.

The 52-year-old took charge at Southampton in 2010 and led them to back-to-back promotions as he guided them up to the Championship in 2011 and the Premier League in 2012 but was fired half-way through the subsequent season.

Adkins joined Reading in 2013 but was sacked at the end of 2014 with the club well adrift of the Championship playoff spots.